If you or a loved one has ever experienced kidney disease, you probably know that securing a donor for a kidney transplant is a long and difficult wait. The demand for kidney transplants is so high that the National Institute of Health granted 6 million dollars to pioneering researchers on the mission to build an artificial kidney. This groundbreaking technology …
Did you know that 1 of every 3 Americans have hypertension? Uncontrolled high blood pressure raises the risk for stroke and heart disease, which are leading causes of death in the United States. Fortunately, high blood pressure can be treated and prevented! To lower your risk for hypertension, check your blood pressure regularly and take action when your blood pressure …
Did you know that there are two types of dialysis? We’ve discussed hemodialysis at length, so today we’d like to focus on peritoneal dialysis. Before we look at the pros and cons of peritoneal dialysis (PD), let’s first understand what this type of dialysis is all about! Each of us has a natural lining that protects the organs inside our …
No matter what kind of medicine you take, whether OTC (over the counter) or prescription, it is destined to take a trip through your kidneys. They are, after all, your body’s natural filtration system! There are several types of OTC medication that people frequently use for gastritis, GERD, aches, pains and headaches that if routinely used could damage your kidneys. …
Most of us are familiar with kidney disease as a chronic condition caused by diabetes, hypertension, or advanced age. But did you know that some kidney problems can develop in as little as a few days? Acute kidney injury, or AKI, is an abrupt loss of kidney function that could happen before you know it. Sounds scary, right? But there’s good news: AKI is …
Once one is on dialysis several lifestyle changes need to be made. Your daily dietary intake will impact the efficiency and effectiveness of dialysis, whether it is peritoneal or hemodialysis. It is important to consult with a dietician once you get started on dialysis. Why is Diet so Important in Dialysis Patients? Many of us have been inundated with dietary …
Most of us have at least heard of kidney stones. Perhaps you may have passed one. Either way, it’s always good to learn how to prevent kidney stones from ever forming in the first place. If you ask those who have passed a stone you will learn that it is a terribly uncomfortable experience. How Do Kidney Stones Form? …
Kidney failure sounds scary, but kidney failure is treatable if you catch it early! If you are experiencing any of these symptoms of kidney failure, you may have Chronic Kidney Disease. CKD, or Chronic Kidney Disease, is a progressive disease that does permanent damage to the kidneys. So it’s important to reach out to your doctor if you notice some …
We all indulge in bad habits from time to time. We’re only human, after all! And we do our best to avoid bad habits. But what about the ones that we don’t realize are bad? When it comes to preserving our kidneys’ health, we often overlook common habits that seem benign. Could you be harming your kidneys without realizing it? …
What a Low Sodium Diet Looks Like Sodium is an element that is found in many foods as well as water. The body requires a small amount of sodium in the diet to control blood pressure and blood volume. Sodium is also important in cellular osmotic pressure (the passage of fluids in and out of the cells) and in transmitting …